Discovering Le Gazon Vert from Storckensohn

In the heart of the Hautes-Vosges d’Alsace, this circular walk allows you to discover the Gazon Vert site, its three mountain pastures and its rich natural and cultural heritage. From beech and fir forests to high-altitude woodlands, from mountain pastures to lakes and glacial cirques, this walk takes you through a variety of habitats, each with its own unique flora and fauna.

Details

2490499
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.06 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 314 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 310 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 949 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 724 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking at the Cascade car park: take Rue du Gazon Vert from Stockenson and follow the signs towards Gazon Vert; the road is tarmac for about 2 km, the rest of the route is passable at low speed.

(S/E) From the Cascade car park, follow the red and white rectangular signposted trail which crosses the pasture to the Natura 2000 sign marking the start of the walk.

(1) From the sign, take the waterfall path, which offers a view of the waterfall and continues through the forest. At the first junction, turn right; at the next, follow the signs for the Gazon Vert nature trail. Continue climbing to the right through the forest.

(2) At the crossroads, where the circular path begins, at the top of the waterfall, leave the path (Red Rectangle and White Rectangle) on your left, which will be your return route. Head right towards the footbridge.

(3) Cross the metal footbridge, then take the path running alongside the pasture wall. Leave the forest and take a path that climbs above the stubble. Continue the climb to a bench and a viewpoint.

(4) Head back down along the wall and turn left at the crossroads (marked with a Yellow Triangle) towards the Vieille Ferme.

(5) Walk past the farm across the Gazon Vert scree slope. Follow the signs for “Auberge du Gazon Vert” and pass beneath the glacial scree on the path marked with a Yellow Triangle before entering the forest. In the forest, leave the Yellow Triangle path which climbs to the right and continue left towards the inn.

(6) In front of the inn, head down through the pasture to the forest. The path, marked with red and white rectangles, heads north and joins the top of the waterfall and the junction of the circular path.

(2) Head down to the right at the foot of the waterfall and continue along the same path as on the way up to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 725 m - Cascade car park
  2. 1 : km 0.4 - alt. 765 m - Natura 2000 sign
  3. 2 : km 0.87 - alt. 875 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  4. 3 : km 0.94 - alt. 895 m - Footbridge
  5. 4 : km 1.17 - alt. 936 m - Viewpoint
  6. 5 : km 1.52 - alt. 934 m - La Vieille Ferme
  7. 6 : km 1.99 - alt. 945 m - Auberge du Gazon Vert
  8. S/E : km 5.06 - alt. 725 m - Cascade car park

Notes

Worth a visit

From the stopover lodge, you can reach the Col des Perches in 15 minutes, then descend to Lac des Perches, a high-altitude glacial lake.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Marie-Agnès Bruxelle-Feyler
Marie-Agnès Bruxelle-Feyler

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

As usual, very appropriate.

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matt068
matt068

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, moderately challenging walk leading from the Storckensohn community hall to the Gazon Vert mountain hut.
There are two possible routes:
- the GR trail (Red Rectangle) is the most direct (1 hour 40 minutes);
the climb is gradual, except for the final few metres which are quite steep;
- the Forst trail (Yellow Triangle) runs more through the forest;
it is longer (over 2 hours).

From the Gazon Vert refuge (Blue Rectangle trail), it is possible to climb up to Lac de Perches.
This takes another half an hour.
It’s quite steep, then it descends towards the lake.
You’ll need sturdy shoes (there are roots and stones).

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gielis yves
gielis yves

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb walk… the road doesn’t go all the way to the waterfall car park; it continues along a track that’s passable depending on the type of car you’re driving. In June, the waterfall was clearly visible, stunning and flowing with plenty of water – well worth the trip.
The climb up is a bit steep but perfectly manageable. Along the way, on the green grass, there’s a farm that welcomes hikers and has tables available for a picnic. Then there’s a superb inn where we were able to eat and drink whilst enjoying a splendid view.... highly recommended!!

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grosmollets
grosmollets

Having been there yesterday (though we took a circular route from Stockensorn via the Col des Perches), it really is quite a tough climb...
As for the waterfall, it’s striking to see that there isn’t even a trickle of water – it’s completely dry!

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guge
guge

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It’s a shame the hike is labelled ‘easy’ – the path leading up to the waterfalls straight from the car park, without any warm-up, is quite challenging.

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